The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-07-20

soonest women in the country, but some-
how this patient little woman seemed to
possess a spell over him which no other be
ing did.
lie was first to break the silence.
Betsy he said, what become o
Newt?"
"He married Kitty Winters long ago.
Their Oldest girl was married last week."
Then We didn't mean it?'
What"
"Ye didn't like Newt"
He was good friend"
"Oh. dad blast it, yer know what mean
yer dint love him.
no."
81 was q fool, then; but maybe it's not
too late to mend yit. Betsy, are you wa-
linz"
What do you mean?" she asked, trem-
bling little. while her face was radiant
with flame of glory.
"Yer be my wife. Now, let me know,
an settle it once furever. axed We that
question nigh on to twenty years ago. L
want the answer tonight, or I'll leave, never
TO come back"
Betsy knew the danger of attempting to
put him off, and said
"Yes, Hamp, 1 love you, have loved you
all these long years, and will never marry
another"
"Ye loved me then did ye?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't We say so when / axed YEP"
"Oh, it was SO pleasant to coquet little,
you know, and see you get mad"
"Well, gal, don't rile me again, fur it
takes nigh on to twenty years fur me to
cool off.
Il will not answer you so any more,
Hamp," she said, trembling with Joy. IL
o,,o o11ar ,ou onI oil suoh oirlisb folly IL
past"
"will We be my wife?" he again asked.
"Yes."
ITO night?"
"Oh, it's too soon."
"No; it's now or never. Some un said
Uncle Jonathan Knuckleboue was a
Squire, and he'll tie the knot fur us right
now. What yer say? l kin call my boss
and leave in ten seckinds.
Betsy's face turned deathly pale. She
knew it would not do to trihe with her
lover, whom until within the last few min
utes she had thought lost, and after brief
struggle she said:
Yes"
"Then wait till this sets over, an it'll be
done. 1t won't take more n two or three
minits.
Squire Knucklebone was at this moment
swinging about, in the giddy maze of a
quadrille, pretty Polly Perkins, as gay as q
boy of eighteen. To Hamp, who could not
brook delay, it seemed as if the quadrille
was never to end.
First four ford back agin, ALA man left,
balance all, all promenade, swing Yer pard-
ner, all sas shay" while to the lively tune OF
the squeaky old fiddle came the tramping
of ct. Uncle Jonathan's white head and
slightly bent form could be seen among
the others, whirling and fitting about.
When the "set" was over, and he led his
youthful partner in the dance to her seat,
the old Squire was almost out of breath.
Hold on thar, Square, said Hamp
Flatmarsh, leading the blushing Betsy for
ward. "Afore We sot down thars leetle
job ] want yer to de- while we're all in the
notion. Nigh onto twenty vars ago this
gal an me he'd about come ter the c0ncld-
sion We trot in double harness; but by a
leetle MISUNDERSTANDING the lead proved
blind, an l vamosed to prospect elsewhar.
We've got it all fixed up now, an eff yell
jest say few words to make us partners
fur life I'll be much obleeged ter We, and
gin We and Aunt Tilda present o thou
sand dollars apiece"
A shout went up from everybody, and it
was several moments before Uncle Jona-
than could sufficiently recover his compos-
ure to command the peace.
Order was at last restored. and then the
Squire, painting from his late exertions,
said:
"Jine yer right hands"
They did so, and in few moments the
ceremony was completed
"Now, if l hednt a ben SIGH a dod-
rotted fool this d a been done twenty Vars
ago." said Hamp.
"Thet's so. Uncle Jonathan, but ten
millions won't buy back them twenty vars
o pleasure an happiness | might had wi
the best woman on airth."
Betsy, who had been standing like one
stupefed ever since her marriage, at this
threw her arms around her husbands neck
and burst into tears Of JOY.
THAR. them thar, then, gal; don't take
on any more, ur l N SIGH a dod blasted fool
I'll slop over, too. | wouldn't Civ We fur
all the mines in the Rockies; but let's not
stop the dance.
The dance went on, and when the guests
began 10 go home early i'll tie morning
they all took leave of the bride and groom.
Aunt Tilda was the happiest of all, and as
she kissed the pretty bride she said
i've witnessed somethin' might that /
begin ter fear i never see."
WHAT" the blus ing bride asked.
Betsy Camps weddln.'